MESA — Reliever Dan Otero spoke up, as did many others, with a question on the topic of domestic violence that has been at the forefront of professional sports following the NFL's recent troubles.

The Oakland Athletics started Thursday morning in a makeshift clubhouse classroom, among the first major league clubs to undergo mandatory domestic violence training this spring. The 90-minute class at HoHoKam Stadium included small groups of players discussing the issues in round-table sessions.

"It was kind of an open forum, just talking about it and trying to educate us as much as possible on the topics, because we know, obviously, because with the NFL and other sports it's at the forefront of the media," Otero said. "So, it was just kind of an informational session, kind of a give-and-take between the presenters and us as players. A lot of positive things hopefully come from it and we can change the stigma athletes have in the paper and the media.

"It's a step in the right direction. It's not going to change overnight. We know that."

Otero preferred to keep the specifics of the discussions confidential given the sensitivity of the issue.

Designated hitter Billy Butler is in favor of baseball's proactive approach on the issue.

"Absolutely," he said. "If it helps one guy in here, it's done its job."

The classes are being offered in English and Spanish through San Francisco-based Futures Without Violence, which works to prevent domestic and sexual violence and child abuse. Instructors arrived with slide projectors and passed out business cards to the players.

"We're very proud to have been selected by both Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to develop a comprehensive strategy to educate and engage players in positive solutions to prevent and end domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse," said Esta Soler, the organization's president. "Their dual commitment to these issues reminds everyone that violence against women and children affects all of us, and that we can all be part of the solution."

Oakland's players who speak Spanish as their first language opted to listen in English, Otero said, because they could understand the subject matter, which he said, "was actually nice having the whole team here as opposed to having half and half."

Tim Slavin, chief of business affairs of the Major League Baseball Players Association, also attended the session.

The San Francisco Giants and other Cactus League teams in Arizona also had classes scheduled Thursday.

Players and coaches appreciated baseball's efforts to educate given the issues surrounding other major professional sports leagues.

"You're seeing it a lot in other sports. It's been in the news a lot," San Francisco shortstop Brandon Crawford said. "I feel like it hasn't been as prevalent in Major League Baseball, so it's nice we're doing something to help prevent it and keep us out of it a little bit more."

Even before the sessions began, union head Tony Clark said he heard encouraging feedback from players who were eager to hear more about the process.

"It's an opportunity for us to move forward in a very positive direction on a very challenging issue," Clark said Wednesday. "The steps that we have taken have been hugely beneficial. Awareness, prevention, education, understanding — those are all things that all of us are committed to, to make sure that we have an understanding of the challenges that exist and we work to address them on the front end as best we can. So I think the education sessions that are going to happen during the course of this first week at ballparks here and Florida and those that are involved and committed to that process and education believe it's positive. We believe it's positive."

Giants manager Bruce Bochy and his coaching staff, and also members of the team's front office, were prepared for a long day at Scottsdale Stadium. Their session was scheduled for late afternoon, following the players' classes.

"We do appreciate it. The fact that we are being proactive, I'm sure like the other sports, that's a good thing," Bochy said. "It's something that should happen. It's time to help educate everybody."

Like the Giants coaches, A's manager Bob Melvin had a session scheduled for later in the day.

Melvin appreciates the efforts.

"Certainly we support that," Melvin said. "With all that's going on in sports and really in everyday life these days, it's something that needs to be addressed, and if we can school our guys and make them very aware of it, you try to combat the problem."